Are you doing anything to live a GREENER life?

Question

Have you changed the way you do things to help the fight against global warming? When did you start and what made you want to make a difference? What do you think about global warming? Do you think it is as serious as they are saying?

Answer 1

Global warming is an increasingly serious issue, and I have definitely changed the way I live to reduce carbon output. I started changing the way I live little by little starting senior year of high school after taking an environmental science course.

Things I've done:

- I walk, bike, and take public transit. I don't even have a car.
- I bring several canvas tote bags to the grocery store and refuse any plastic or paper bags they offer.
- I keep a folded up tote bag in my purse at all times in case I need to buy anything.
- Any plastic bags I do have (sometimes it's inevitable) I bring back to the grocery store to recycle, or I reuse them to buy other groceries or to hold trash
- I wrap my water heater in an old blanket so the heat doesn't escape and the heater will use less energy to heat my water
- I use minimum hot water
- I hardly eat meat at all (often overlooked, but horrible for the environment!)
- I try to buy locally grown/produced
- I dry my clothes on a clothes line, not mechanically
- I hand-wash my dishes
- I don't buy new clothes. I either buy/exhange them at a consignment shop, thrift store, or with my friends and family
- I've joined several "freecycling" communities, where "freegans" list what they can part with and what they want, so they don't have to buy new things. (Fun way to reuse, reduce, and recycle!)
- I buy recycled paper and products as much as possible
- I try to buy products with minimal amount of packaging
- I've unscrewed all but one or two bulbs in all my ceiling lights. The bulbs I do use are compact flourescent, not incandescent
- I've planted a tree (but it's so tiny right now)
- I keep my thermostat at 60 in the winter (and put on sweaters) and turn it off during the summer (I use fans instead.)
- during the day, I turn the blinds to get maximum amount of light in my apartment. I hardly ever turn on the lights during the day.
- I educate others about simple things they can do as individuals to reduce their carbon footprint!

Answer 2

I agree with a previous post, partially, some of us were raised living green, not because we knew it was the bes thing for the earth, but rather because its also among the cheapest things, it is more work, but its not as expensive as having to pay for electricity bills for drying clothes, or for washing. It is more work, but it does help save the earth, a bit.

Now, I disagree with him on the rest of his post, it is true that before the United States was covered with glaciers, and that global warming has been occurring for millions of years, but, the increase over the last century has been exponential, this since the industrial revolution in the 1800s. Currently, the temperature of the earth is among its highest it has ever been. With the projected increase, if everything remaisn the same, the polar ice caps will begin to melt at fasterrates within the next 25 years, eventually leading to the flooding of coastal floodplains, coastal regions and any areas that are near the waters, this means goodbye New York city, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, and most of other cities near to oceans. This is the demise of civilization, all that it took to build to be destroyed in such little time, it seems that it was done in vain. Global Warming is a serious matter, whether we are already reducing our carbon emissions or not, there is always more that we can do. Lets work together for saving the earth.

Answer 3

metimelovely,

Some of us grew up living green. Not because we were environmentally conscious, but because we were poor. Some people used to hang their wash on a clothesline instead of using a dryer. Modern conveniences are labor saving devices. That's why they are here (to take the hard work out of life). You'll find that getting 'greener' means working harder.

Personally I don't believe that people are having a major effect on the environment. The earth has been warming since long before people have been here. Glaciers used to extend well into the US forty thousand years ago. True we add some to the process, however I don't think that getting all fanatical and making life difficult will make a lot of difference, but that's just my opinion.

Answer 4

Yes I definitely think it's as serious as what people are saying. It really bothers me when people "don't believe" in global warming... there's proof!

For the past year or so, I've started recycling religiously, keeping chargers unplugged when not in use, keeping lights off, having my windows open instead of the air, and bringing my own bag to the grocery store. Little things will hopefully make the difference, as we all can't run out and buy a hybrid car and a green house.

Answer 5

Yes. I beleive global warming is a huge issue. Also, in the next 25 years, if things are still the same, Tokyo will be out of resources and all of China as well. I've changed all the lightbulbs in my home to greener ones, I use eco frienldy household cleaners, I eat organic, I ONLY wash clothes in cold water.

Answer 6

It will take a whole lot more to finish this earth, but I think we are hitting this global warming thing on spot. I sold my car so we have only one car though this was not meant to be but some might say its coincidental start. I am tired of Al Gore and his followers I think they are telling more horror stories than there is to the truth, I think he is trying to start a new religion called " GLOBAL WARMING" and he does not practice what he preaches. You know his recent electric bill for his 22 room mansion was over $20000.00 in a month, do more research you will find the truth about this new peoples' ICON.

Answer 7

Absolutely. I always recycle as much as I can.
Actually I think it's more serious than they are saying. I don't think we have 100 years to stop it. I think in the next 30-40 years we have to not only stop it, but bring the CO2 levels back to where they were before Global Warming started.

Answer 8

I slowly am replacing the light with energy saving lights. i started a couple months back cuz of an oprah show. i think global warming is quite serious. Evidence shows that the global ice caps are melting unusually fast. Ice on certian mountain tops are receeding in what appears to be in an abnormally fast pace.

Answer 9

I try to consolidate my driving so when I run my errands I do everything in one day. I also try to minimize the driving that I do as much as possible. I recycle cans and bottles, try to either not get a plastic shopping bag or reuse them. I get paper bags at the grocery store or use cloth bags when possible.

I do think that global warming is a serious issue, but it isn't an issue that consumes my thoughts on a regular basis.

Answer 10

I am very concerned about the environment. I believe global warming is a serious issue and feel we should all do our part to help.
I own a green business which runs from water and wind power. I also try my best to recycle and reuse things.I plant trees around my home to insulate it from cold in winter and hot in summer. I also try to ride my bike or walk as much as possible.Sometimes it seems like it feels not enough as I am only one person. But I try...
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